EP3736545A1 - Fill level measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

Fill level measuring device 401, 901, 1101 for measuring a fill level of a container, comprising: a fill level measuring unit, set up to measure a fill level of a container; at least one transmitting / receiving unit 204, set up for communication with a data processing unit 209; at least one fastening unit 208, 902, 1108, set up to fasten the fill level measuring device 401, 901, 1101 to a surface of the container 103, 301, 1106; at least one monitoring means, set up to monitor a fastening of the fill level measuring device 401, 901, 1101 on the container 103, 301, 1106 provided by the at least one fastening unit 208, 902, 1108, wherein the monitoring means are also set up to be able to use the transmitting / receiving unit 204 to transmit an alarm message to the data processing unit 209 when the monitoring means determine that the fastening of the level measuring device 401, 901, 1101 from the container 103, 301, 1106 has been released.

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a container, and a system comprising at least one such fill level measuring device and a container.

Background of the invention

Level measuring devices are well known in the prior art. Often, using different physical effects, a distance between the level measuring device and a surface of a medium arranged in a container is determined and the level of the container is derived. Such fill level measuring devices can be arranged inside or outside a container, acoustic, electromagnetic, inductive, capacitive or also radiometric sensor arrangements being used in particular. The recorded data / measured values are transmitted to a higher-level data processing unit using wired or wireless communication devices. The recorded measured values can not only be used as process parameters, but also for goods and stock management.

The majority of known level measuring devices are supplied with the energy necessary for operation via fixed wire connections. However, more recent developments also make it possible to provide energy for the various components by means of self-sufficient energy sources, so that in combination with wireless communication devices it is possible to provide self-sufficient units. Such self-sufficient units can be used in a particularly advantageous manner in the case of non-stationary containers. One of the container types that are often used as non-stationary is the so-called intermediate bulk container, also referred to as an IBC container. IBC containers have a volume and weight-optimized design, which in particular enables them to be loaded onto trucks with forklift trucks. In practice, however, it has been found that, especially during loading and unloading processes, smaller and larger Carom collisions that can lead to mechanical deformation of the container and detachment of the level measuring device.

If such a detachment of the level measuring device from the container is not detected, this can lead to the level measuring device measuring the distance to any object in its vicinity and therefore transmitting incorrect measured values to the higher-level data processing unit, with the result that the goods and services based thereon Inventory management is faulty.

In light of this problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a level measuring device and a system with such a level measuring device in which incorrect measurements can be excluded with greater reliability, in particular if a level measuring device is used as an autonomous unit.

These and other objects, which are still mentioned on reading the following description or can be recognized by the person skilled in the art, are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims develop the central concept of the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a container, the fill level measuring device comprising: a fill level measuring unit, set up to measure a fill level of a container; at least one transmitting / receiving unit, set up for communication with a data processing unit; at least one fastening unit, set up to fasten the fill level measuring device to a surface of the container; at least one monitoring means, set up to monitor a fastening of the fill level measuring device on the container provided by the at least one fastening unit, the monitoring means further being set up to transmit an alarm message to the data processing unit via the transmitting / receiving unit when the monitoring means detach the fastening determine the level measuring device of the container.

In other words, the present invention proposes equipping a fill level measuring device with a monitoring means for monitoring a planned arrangement of the fill level measuring device on a container, so that incorrect measurements due to a faulty arrangement of the fill level measuring device on the container or a falling off of the fill level measuring device from the container can be excluded as far as possible . The monitoring means are preferably set up in such a way that they not only result in a complete release of the fill level measuring device from the Can detect container, but also a faulty arrangement of the level measuring device on a container due to a partial failure of the fastening unit.

A fill level measuring device according to the present invention can be arranged on any suitable surface in or on a container, the fill level measuring device not necessarily having to be arranged directly on a surface of the container, but can also be arranged at a distance from a surface of the container. A fill level measuring unit according to the present invention is to be understood as any unit which is set up using acoustic, electromagnetic, inductive, capacitive, radiometric or other effects in order to measure a fill level of a container. The use of the present invention is not limited to the measurement of specific media, but includes all media regardless of their physical state.

A transmitting / receiving unit according to the present invention is to be understood as any communication device with which data can be exchanged with a data processing unit. The transmitting / receiving unit is preferably set up for wireless communication with the data processing unit, the transmitting / receiving unit preferably having a wireless area network (WLAN) interface, a Bluetooth interface, a ZigBee interface, a long range wide area network (LoRaWAN) interface, a Sigfox interface, a Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) interface, a MIOTY interface or a cellular interface.

A data processing unit according to the present invention can be a central data processing unit, for example a central control computer or a data processing unit for goods and stock management, the present invention not being restricted to a specific data processing unit. For example, decentralized cloud storage and / or decentralized cloud computing solutions can also be used.

A fastening unit according to the present invention is to be understood as any means with which the filling level measuring device can be fastened to the container. For example, the fastening unit can comprise an adhesive layer, preferably an acrylate adhesive layer, with which the fill level measuring device was glued to the container. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening unit can comprise one or more tensioning or strap elements with which the filling level measuring device can also be fastened to a container.

An alarm message according to the present invention can be transmitted as a data record, for example, which is preferably displayed on a display device of the data processing unit can be. Such an alarm message can alternatively or additionally also be transmitted to a tablet, smartphone or the like in order, for example, to simplify and / or induce the use of a service technician.

The monitoring means are advantageously also set up to deactivate the fill level measuring device or the fill level measuring unit after the alarm message has been transmitted. This makes it possible to ensure that no or only a few incorrect measured values are transmitted to the data processing unit, which could possibly lead to incorrect control signals or automated goods disposition. In this context, it can be advantageous that the data processing unit is set up, after receiving an alarm message, to mark the measured values of a predetermined period of time prior to receiving the alarm message as "possibly incorrect measured values" so that they are not used for a control signal or goods disposition if possible .

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the level measuring device further comprises at least one position determination means, preferably a GPS unit, and this is set up to transmit position data of the level measuring device to the data processing unit via the transmitting / receiving unit, the alarm message preferably comprising position data of the level measuring device . The position data are advantageously also transmitted to a service technician's tablet, smartphone or the like. In this context, it is advantageous if the position data can be transmitted via the transceiver unit even after the fill level measuring device or the fill level measuring unit has been deactivated, in particular if the fill level measuring device has become detached from the container, for example during a loading or unloading process, and thus is no longer arranged in the immediate vicinity of the container.

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring means comprise at least one acceleration sensor which is set up to detect an acceleration of the fill level measuring device at least in one direction parallel to the acceleration due to gravity, the acceleration sensor preferably being a 3-axis acceleration sensor. In this context, it is further preferred that the monitoring means are set up to evaluate the acceleration values of the acceleration sensor in order to determine whether the fastening of the filling level measuring device has been released from the container. Since typical acceleration patterns occur particularly when loading and unloading mobile containers, these typical acceleration patterns can be stored in a storage unit of the monitoring means and compared with the acceleration patterns actually occurring. Furthermore, it is preferred that the acceleration sensor is aligned such that it measures the acceleration due to gravity. Should the position be such Aligned acceleration sensor to the extent that it no longer measures the acceleration due to gravity, it can be assumed with high probability that the level measuring device is no longer fastened in the intended position on the container and is no longer held in the intended position on the container by the fastening unit. In this context, it should be pointed out that the acceleration values are preferably evaluated directly in a data processing unit / processor unit of the level measuring device. Alternatively or additionally, however, the acceleration values can also be transmitted to another data processing unit / processor unit via the transmitting / receiving unit and evaluated in this data processing unit / processor unit.

In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring means comprise a short-range transmitter / receiver unit which is set up for wireless communication with a short-range transmitter / receiver unit arranged on the container. In this context, it is preferred that the short-range transmitter / receiver unit is an RFID transmitter / receiver unit which is set up for wireless communication with an RFID transmitter / receiver unit arranged on the container or is an NFC transmitter / receiver unit which is set up for wireless communication with an NFC transmitter / receiver unit arranged on the container. In the present case, a short-range transmitting / receiving unit of the monitoring means is to be understood as any transmitting / receiving unit that has a distance-dependent transmitting / receiving power. Thus, if the level measuring device is lost, the corresponding transmitter / receiver units can no longer establish wireless communication and detachment of the level measuring device from the container can be determined or the signal strengths received in each case decrease corresponding to the distance between the two transmitter / receiver units, so that detachment or a misalignment the level measuring device can be determined.

Alternatively or additionally, the monitoring means can comprise at least one electrical, optical, magnetic, acoustic or mechanical sensor which can interact with a detection means provided on the container or the fastening unit.

In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fill level measuring unit is set up to determine a fill level based on a transit time measurement of a signal emitted and reflected on the fill level measuring unit, preferably a radar signal or a microwave signal. In this case, the monitoring means are set up to evaluate the reflected signal and to determine whether the fastening of the filling level measuring device has been released from the container. The reflected signal is not only reflected on the medium, the level of which is to be determined in the container, but at least partially also on other interfaces that show up as so-called echoes in the reflection pattern. For known arrangements of the level measuring device to known Containers thus result in certain reflection patterns with regard to the echoes. These echoes can thus be used to determine a detachment from or an incorrect position of the fill level measuring device on the container, since in this case the reflection pattern changes with regard to the echoes in a detectable manner. Here, too, it should be pointed out that the reflection pattern is preferably evaluated directly in a data processing unit / processor unit of the level measuring device. Alternatively or in addition, the acceleration values can also be transmitted to another data processing unit / processor unit via the transmitting / receiving unit and evaluated in this data processing unit / processor unit.

The present invention further relates to a system, the system comprising: a container for receiving a medium and at least one fill level measuring device described above, the fill level measuring device being fastened to the container by means of the fastening unit. The container is preferably a container or container provided for goods / media transport, preferably a so-called intermediate bulk container (IBC), a shipping container, a railroad tank or a waste container.

Description of a preferred embodiment

Figur 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Behälters mit einer Füllstandsmesseinrichtung;

Figur 2

eine schematische Ansicht der Füllstandsmesseinrichtung aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine schematische Ansicht eines verformten Behälters mit einer gelösten Füllstandsmesseinrichtung;

Figur 4

eine schematische Ansicht einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Füllstandsmesseinrichtung;

Figur 5

eine schematische Ansicht typischer Beschleunigungswerte, die beim Be- und Entladen eines Behälter auftreten;

Figur 6

eine schematische Ansicht typsicher Beschleunigungswerte, die auf einen Behälterverlust hinweisen;

Figur 7

ein bevorzugter Programmablauf bei Einsatz der ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Füllstandsmesseinrichtung;

Figur 8

eine schematische Ansicht eines Teils des Kolbenoberteils aus Figur 1;

Figur 9

eine schematische Ansicht einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Füllstandsmesseinrichtung;

Figur 10

ein bevorzugter Programmablauf bei Einsatz der zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Füllstandsmesseinrichtung;

Figur 11

eine schematische Ansicht einer dritten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Füllstandsmesseinrichtung; und

Figur 12

ein bevorzugter Programmablauf bei Einsatz der dritten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Füllstandsmesseinrichtung.

A detailed description of the figures is given below. It shows:

Figure 1

a schematic view of a container with a level measuring device;

Figure 2

a schematic view of the level measuring device from Figure 1 ;

Figure 3

a schematic view of a deformed container with a dissolved level measuring device;

Figure 4

a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of a fill level measuring device according to the invention;

Figure 5

a schematic view of typical acceleration values that occur when loading and unloading a container;

Figure 6

a schematic view of type-safe acceleration values that indicate a container loss;

Figure 7

a preferred program sequence when using the first preferred embodiment of a fill level measuring device according to the invention;

Figure 8

a schematic view of part of the piston top from Figure 1 ;

Figure 9

a schematic view of a second preferred embodiment of a fill level measuring device according to the invention;

Figure 10

a preferred program sequence when using the second preferred embodiment of a fill level measuring device according to the invention;

Figure 11

a schematic view of a third preferred embodiment of a fill level measuring device according to the invention; and

Figure 12

a preferred program sequence when using the third preferred embodiment of a fill level measuring device according to the invention.

In the following description of the figures, the same reference symbols are used for the same or similar objects, only the respective differences being explained and the explanations therefore applying to all objects, unless differences are expressly explained.

Figure 1 shows an example of a so-called IBC 101, which is used to transport media. This weight, volume and cost-optimized design is particularly popular in the distribution and logistics industry, and enables customers to be easily supplied with a wide variety of media. The IBC 101 usually consists of a pallet 102, a metal frame 103 and a container bladder 104, preferably made of plastic, which contains the filling material 105. The medium 105 can be introduced into the container 101 or into the container bladder 104 via a cover 106.

A filling level measuring device 107, which is typically attached to an upper surface of the container bladder 104, can measure the distance to the filling material surface 105, for example using electromagnetic waves, and provide it to the outside.

Figure 2 shows a known level measuring device 107, in the embodiment as a radar measuring device 200. The radar measuring device 200 comprises an energy store 201, for example a battery 201, a power supply unit 202, a data processing unit in the form of a processor unit 203, a transmitting and receiving unit 204 for communication with a central data processing unit 209, a high-frequency unit 205 and a radar antenna 206. The radar measuring device 200 has a hermetically sealed housing 207.

The radar measuring device 200 emits radar signals via the radar antenna 206, preferably in the range of 6 GHz, 24 GHz, 57 to 64 GHz, 75 to 85 GHz or higher frequencies, in the direction of a product surface of the product 105, and receives them on the product surface reflected signals after a corresponding transit time. The received signals are from the radio frequency unit 205 converted into low-frequency signals and forwarded to the processor unit 203, which calculates the distance to the filling material 105 and transmits it to a data processing unit 209 via the transmitter / receiver unit 204, for example a combination of cloud storage and cloud computing solution 209.

The transmitting / receiving unit 204 is preferably set up for wireless communication with the data processing unit 209, the transmitting / receiving unit 204 preferably having a wireless area network (WLAN) interface, a Bluetooth interface, a ZigBee interface, a long range wide area network (LoRaWAN ) Interface, a Sigfox interface, a Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) interface, a MIOTY interface or a cellular radio interface.

In practice, fill level measuring devices 107 are often stuck onto the surface of the container bladder 104 with the aid of an adhesive tape 208, for example an acrylate adhesive tape 208. The acrylate adhesive tape 208 seals the space between the level measuring device 107 and the surface of the container bladder 104. In addition, the acrylate adhesive tape 208 serves as a mechanical leveling layer in order to level out any unevenness in the surface of the container bladder 104. As an alternative or in addition, other fastening units / devices can also be used in which the level measuring device 107 is fastened, for example, with straps that can be arranged around the metal frame 103. Further fastening options are known to the person skilled in the art and can be combined with the present invention.

A known disadvantage of such IBCs is the mechanical instability, which is due to the cost and weight optimization. Figure 3 shows an example of an IBC 301 as it can look like after a collision during a loading or unloading process. The metal frame 302 was severely deformed by external mechanical forces, the container bladder 303 being basically still intact, however, it was mechanically irreversibly deformed by the force. This can have the consequence that the container surface 304 has also been severely deformed in the area where a level measuring device, for example a radar measuring device 200, is arranged. It can happen that the fastening means, here for example the acrylic adhesive tape 208, is no longer able to provide the necessary mechanical compensation between the level measuring device and the container surface, so that the level measuring device can detach itself from the IBC 301 and it may fall to the ground unnoticed . Typically, the fill level measuring devices remain functional even after they have been released and hit the floor, ie they continue to take measurements and transmit these measurements to the data processing device 209.

Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a fill level measuring device 401 according to the invention in the form of a radar measuring device 400 with a monitoring means 402, which is set up to monitor an intended attachment of the fill level measuring device 401 to the container and to determine a container loss, i.e. a detachment of the fill level measuring device 401 from the IBC 301. In the first preferred embodiment, the monitoring means 402 include at least one acceleration sensor 403, preferably a 3-axis acceleration sensor 403. By evaluating the acceleration data of the acceleration sensor 403 in a process logic of a processor unit 404, incorrect positioning or a container loss of the level measuring device 401 can be determined.

The Figures 5, 6 and 7 show, by way of example, acceleration data recorded by acceleration sensor 403 that are based on typical movement patterns. Figure 5 shows first of all exemplary acceleration values that occur during typical loading and unloading processes of an IBC 101. In the idle state between t = 0 and t = t ₁ , the sensors measuring in the X and Y directions do not record any acceleration values, whereas the sensor measuring in the Z direction records the acceleration due to gravity g with a value of 9.81 m / s ² as a negative value detected. At time t = t ₁ , the IBC 101 is lifted by a forklift truck, which leads to an increase in the negative acceleration value in the Z direction (cf. reference number 501), since the IBC 101 is still being accelerated at the top. Between t ₁ and t ₂ , the IBC 101 is transported to a truck, for example. The corresponding acceleration values (cf. reference numerals 502, 503) can be detected essentially in the X and Y directions. At the time t = t ₂ , the IBC 101 is placed on a truck, for example, which can be derived from the reduced acceleration in the Z direction. From time t ₃ the truck is in motion, which causes strong deflections of the acceleration sensors in the X and Y directions. The slight deviations (cf. reference number 504) of the Z-sensor result from driving-related vibrations of the IBC 101. The acceleration curves shown above are characteristic in particular when all three directions are evaluated at the same time, and can preferably be stored in advance in a memory unit assigned to the processor unit 404 using factory specifications will.

Figure 6 FIG. 10 shows the acceleration data acquired by the acceleration sensor 403, which represents a container loss. At time t = t ₄ , the Z component of the acceleration changes to a positive value and remains there in the positive range. From this it can be deduced that there must be a loss of container, since the acceleration sensor and thus the filling level measuring device 401 are obviously oriented upwards. It is thus already possible to determine whether a container has been lost on the basis of the evaluation of the acceleration data in the Z direction.

As in Figure 7 As shown by way of example, in addition to the acceleration data in the Z direction, the acceleration values in the X and Y directions can also be used. Im in Figure 7 shown example, the acceleration sensor and thus the container 401 experiences, for example, a lateral impact - which leads to the characteristic lateral acceleration pattern (see reference numeral 701), the duration of which is significantly less than, for example, 1 second. If a decrease in the acceleration in the Z direction (cf. reference numeral 702) is detected at the same time, it can be assumed that the acceleration sensor is being moved in the direction of the ground. To avoid confusion with the acceleration values of a loading process (cf. Figure 5 ), can also be based on the greatly increased negative acceleration (see reference numeral 703), which reflects the impact of the acceleration sensor on the ground. The acceleration pattern described thus allows a reliable detection of a loosening of the level measuring device, ie a loss of a container. In a memory unit assigned to the processor unit 404, further movement patterns can be stored which are adapted to the respective areas of application of a fill level measuring device according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows an example of a program flow in connection with the first embodiment. The sequence begins in the start state 801. In step 802 it is first checked whether the vertical acceleration is greater than zero. Alternatively, it would also be possible in step 802 to determine whether the vertical acceleration deviates by a predetermined amount from the expected value of 9.81 m / s ² for a predetermined time interval. If this is the case, then in step 807 an alarm message in the form of a loss of container message is provided via the transmitting / receiving unit 204 and transmitted to a data processing unit, which enables an operator of the level measuring device to take appropriate maintenance measures. The location of the fill level measuring device is advantageously also transmitted in the alarm message. Finally, the fill level measuring device is put out of operation in step 808 in order to avoid incorrect measurements. The position data can still be transmitted.

If the check in step 802 does not result in a positive acceleration, it is checked in step 803 whether the vertical acceleration is greater than the negative acceleration due to gravity. If this is not the case, the level measuring device is not moved downwards so that a level measurement and subsequent data transmission can be started in method steps 809 and 810. Otherwise, a further check is made as to whether the lateral acceleration values are not equal to 0. If this is the case, it is assumed that a container is just being lost and it is determined in step 805 whether the acceleration sensor detects an impact, for example a strong deflection in the Z direction. If this is the case, method steps 807 and 808 are carried out again. Otherwise there is no loss of container, and the fill level measuring device determines the fill level by going to step 809.

Figure 9 shows a second embodiment of a fill level measuring device 901 according to the invention. In this embodiment, no acceleration sensor is used, but a combined mechanical-electrical detection of a possible loss of container. The monitoring means 402 of the fill level measuring device 901 here comprises an RFID transmission / reception unit or an NFC transmission / reception unit 902. Furthermore, a corresponding RFID transmission / reception unit or an NFC transmission / reception unit is applied to a suitable surface of the IBC 101 so that the corresponding transmission / reception units can communicate with one another. Such a transmitting / receiving unit can be applied to the container bladder 104 by means of an adhesive sealing pad 903, for example. Such an adhesive sealing pad 904 can accommodate an RFID chip or an NFC chip and is nevertheless sufficiently flexible so that the adhesive sealing pad 903 can be effectively prevented from becoming detached from the IBC 101 in the event of a container deformation. The transmitting / receiving unit, for example an NFC reader or an RFID reader, now checks whether the NFC chip or the RFID chip is located in the immediate vicinity before starting a measurement. Figure 10 shows an example of a program flow in connection with the second exemplary embodiment. The sequence begins in step 1000. In step 1001, it is first checked whether the corresponding transmitting / receiving units are arranged in the immediate vicinity of one another. If this is the case, there is no loss of container and the fill level value can be determined by transition to step 1002 and transmitted to a data processing unit in step 1003. If, however, no corresponding transmitting / receiving unit is determined in step 1001, a loss of container is recognized. In this case, by moving to step 1004, an alarm message is transmitted to the data processing unit, and in step 1005 the level measuring device is shut down.

The solution shown in the second embodiment using short-range transmitting / receiving means can be modified to the extent that, alternatively or additionally, the monitoring means are equipped with an electrical, optical, magnetic, acoustic and / or mechanical sensor in order to be able to use a sensor on the IBC or the fastening unit provided detection means to interact. For example, provision can be made for the presence or a planned arrangement of the sealing adhesive pad 903 on the container bladder 104 electrically (for example by means of an arrangement of one or more conductor tracks on the sealing pad with a predetermined breaking point), optically (for example by means of sensors with reflection evaluation), magnetically, acoustically or also to be verified mechanically (for example by means of a button).

Figure 11 shows a third preferred embodiment of a fill level measuring device 1101 according to the invention, which is used in particular when using a radar sensor can be. If the level measuring device 1101 is attached to a surface of the IBC 1106 in normal operation, the radar signal 1107 emitted by the radar antenna 206 is partially reflected at the transition to an adhesive layer 1108 (cf. reference number 1104) and, with a slight time delay, again at the transition for IBC 1106 (see reference number 1105). The echoes caused by these reflections are superimposed due to the small spatial distance of the respective reflection points, and lead in the reflection pattern to an echo curve 1110 with a characteristically broad echo 1109 at the beginning of the echo curve 1110. In the event of a container loss, the second interface or reflection point is omitted IBC 1106, which means that the radar antenna 206 receives another echo curve 1111, which is characterized at the beginning by a significantly narrower echo 1112. Figure 12 shows an example of a program flow in connection with the third exemplary embodiment. The sequence begins in step 1201. In step 1202, an echo curve is first received, with the width of the echo at the beginning of the echo curve 1109, 1112 being determined in step 1203. If the width of the echo at the beginning of the echo curve 1109, 1112 is below a predetermined value, it is assumed that a container has been lost. In this case, an alarm message is created by a transition to steps 1206, 1207, transmitted to the data processing unit and the fill level measuring device 1101 is put out of operation. Otherwise, the fill level is determined in step 1204 and transmitted to the data processing unit in step 1205. For evaluating and comparing the different echo curves, the monitoring means preferably comprises a processor unit 1102 with an associated memory means 1103, which are set up to execute a program for analyzing the echo curves.

It should be noted that the invention is not limited to use on an IBC. The present invention can generally be used on containers or containers that are used for goods / media transport, for example shipping containers, railroad tanks or waste containers. In addition, the above-described container loss can occur when monitoring bodies of water or sewers in the event of flooding or in the event of sabotage, so that the present invention can also be used there. In the present case, the term container loss is understood to mean a complete detachment of the fill level measuring device from the container or a change in position from an intended positioning in which a reliable fill level measurement can no longer be carried out.

The present invention is not limited to the preceding preferred embodiments as long as it is covered by the subject matter of the following claims. In particular, the embodiments explained above can also be combined with one another in order to be able to determine a container loss with even greater reliability.

Claims (15)

Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) for measuring a filling level of a container, comprising: a fill level measuring unit, set up to measure a fill level of a container; at least one transmitting / receiving unit (204), set up for communication with a data processing unit (209); at least one fastening unit (208, 902, 1108), set up to fasten the fill level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) to a surface of the container (103, 301, 1106); at least one monitoring means, set up to monitor a fastening of the fill level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) on the container (103, 301, 1106) provided by the at least one fastening unit (208, 902, 1108), wherein the monitoring means are also set up to to transmit an alarm message to the data processing unit (209) via the transmitting / receiving unit (204) when the monitoring means determine that the fastening of the level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) has been detached from the container (103, 301, 1106). Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means are further configured to deactivate the filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) or the filling level measuring unit after the alarm message has been transmitted. Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit (204) is set up for wireless communication with the data processing unit (209), the transmitting / receiving unit preferably being a wireless area network (WLAN ) Interface, a Bluetooth interface, a ZigBee interface, a Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) interface, a Sigfox interface, a Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) interface, a MIOTY interface or a cellular interface. Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening unit (208, 902, 1108) comprises an adhesive layer, preferably an acrylate adhesive layer, with which the filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) is attached to a container (103, 301, 1106) can be attached. Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening unit (208, 902, 1108) comprises at least one tensioning or strap element which the level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) can be attached to a container (103, 301, 1106). Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) further comprises at least one position determining means, preferably a GPS unit, set up to transmit position data via the transmitting / receiving unit (204) To transmit the level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) to the data processing unit (209), the alarm message preferably comprising position data of the level measuring device (401, 901, 1101). Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring means comprise at least one acceleration sensor (403) which is set up to detect an acceleration of the filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) at least in a direction parallel to the acceleration of gravity , wherein the acceleration sensor (403) is preferably a 3-axis acceleration sensor (403). Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring means are set up to evaluate the acceleration values of the acceleration sensor (403) in order to determine whether the fastening of the filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) from the container (103, 301) is detached , 1106) is available. Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring means comprise a short-range transmitter / receiver unit (904) which is used for wireless communication with a short-range transmitter / receiver unit arranged on the container (103, 301, 1106). Receiving unit (903) is set up. Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to claim 9, wherein the short-range transmitter / receiver unit (904) is an RFID transmitter / receiver unit which is used for wireless communication with an RFID device arranged on the container (103, 301, 1106). Sender / receiver unit is set up. Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to claim 9, wherein the short-range transmitter / receiver unit (904) is an NFC transmitter / receiver unit (904) which is used for wireless communication with one on the container (103, 301, 1106) arranged NFC transmitter / receiver unit is set up. Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring means comprise at least one electrical, optical, magnetic, acoustic or mechanical sensor in order to be connected to one on the container (103, 301, 1106) or the fastening unit (208, 902, 1108) provided detection means to interact. Filling level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling level measuring unit is set up to determine a fill level based on a transit time measurement of a signal emitted and reflected on the fill level measuring unit, preferably a radar signal or a microwave signal, the monitoring means being set up to evaluate the reflected signal in order to determine whether the fastening of the level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) from the container (103, 301, 1106) is detached. System comprising: a container (103, 301, 1106) for receiving a medium and at least one level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, the level measuring device (401, 901, 1101) by means of the fastening unit ( 208, 902, 1108) is attached to the container (103, 301, 1106). System according to claim 14, wherein the container (103, 301, 1106) is a container or container intended for goods / media transport, preferably an intermediate bulk container (IBC), a shipping container, a railroad tank or a waste container.

Images